Bitter finger-pointing over MH17 attack

RUSSIANS LIVING in New Zealand are defending their homeland, saying it had nothing to do with the downing of MH17 and are talking up conspiracies that blame the US for the tragedy.

Ukrainians are pointing the finger, saying all the evidence proves pro- Russian separatists were responsible. In New Zealand the ill-feeling between Ukrainian and Russian communities is at breaking point amid a conflict that has raged since November, and the Malaysia Airlines shooting has increased the tension.

In Auckland, Olga Robertson was worried about the backlash towards the Russian community. ‘‘New Zealanders are known for putting the issue straight into your face. People say ‘ ah those Russians’. Ill-feeling is in the air all the time.’’

She said everyone blamed Russia for supplying missiles but it could not be held responsible for the way those missiles were used.

She said nobody knew exactly who was responsible for the tragedy. ‘‘My feeling is that it’s not in [ Russian leader Vladimir] Putin’s interest. It’s something he would look to avoid at the moment.’’

Robertson said the plane might have been brought down by the US, which wanted to establish a Nato base in Ukraine. ‘‘I don’t support conspiracy theories but my personal feeling is it’s all done in order to get these areas in American control.’’

Fellow Russian Olga Tarasenko said back home, the feeling that the US was involved was widespread. ‘‘People say the Americans’ financial situation is very bad and so they want to be in wars and involve themselves in other countries.’’

Tarasenko, director at Auckland’s Russian edu-cultural centre, said relationships had deteriorated to the point that Ukrainians in New Zealand wouldn’t speak Russian with her any more. ‘‘Here, even in New Zealand, our countries are being very cold to each other. Some Ukrainians really mind who is near them. It’s definitely a terrible situation and nobody knows when it will finish.’’

Ukrainian Olga Bilous said Russia had to stop meddling in her home country. ‘‘At this point now these terrorists have no rights to do to us what they do. I believe Russians help them.’’

Bilous said her relationship with her Russian friends had suffered because of what was happening at home. ‘‘Some behave in a way that hurts me and my feelings. Ukrainians, why are they fighting now? They just want to live as New Zealanders live, just want to live free . . . they have been fighting for that for their life.’’

Ukrainian- New Zealander Leonid Tkachuk said that as a result of the plane crash he could no longer speak to his Russian friends as they just argued. ‘‘They think he [Putin] is a great leader and I don’t think so.’’

He believed the Russian government was involved. ‘‘For me, and for my friends there’s no doubt.’’